Wild Men of Alaska Collection - By Helmer, Tiffinie Page 0,104

taken himself off to, giving a nod as way of introduction to Cub.

Lucky’s heart sank. He knew that he couldn’t be that lucky. Another chance at life, another chance at loving Gemma.

“You don’t understand,” Hansen said. “Your self-sacrifice the other day has presented this avenue to you.”

“What kind of game is this?”

“No game. A test, if you will. You’ve proven yourself worthy of another life.”

“Wait a damn minute. What if this dingbat hadn’t come along?”

“Eventually, if you hadn’t moved on, there might have been another willing to give up his body to you.”

Lucky looked Cub up and down, taking in his well-toned physique. Hell, he’d won the jackpot. Though it would take some getting used to being that tall. “Do you hit your head a lot?”

“No, but you probably will.”

“There isn’t a lot of time,” Hansen said. “The longer a soul is away from the body, the faster it starts to deteriorate.”

“How do you know all this?” Lucky turned on Hansen, looking at him as though for the first time. This was Hansen, his carefree buddy, right?

“Go,” Cub said. “Just do me a favor and don’t tattoo my body or anything.”

“He can’t come back and push me out?” Lucky asked Hansen, since he seemed to have all the answers.

“No. Once the agreement has been made, there is no going back.”

Lucky regarded Cub again. Filled with emotion that brought tears to his eyes, he reached out and enveloped Cub in a bear hug. “Thanks, man.”

“The only thanks I need is to know that Gemma will receive the love and care she deserves.”

“Count on it.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

They’d sent her home.

Kicked her out of Cub’s room and told her she couldn’t return until visiting hours in the morning. There had been no change in his condition. The nurses and doctors had reassured her that Cub would probably be okay even though he hadn’t woken. Head injures were tricky. She was so sick and tired of hearing that.

Once home, she’d taken a few Advil and a long hot shower for the aches and pains that were making themselves felt. She slipped into her pajamas and went to crawl into bed when there was a knock at her door.

She glanced at the clock. It was after two in the morning.

Another more insistent knock sounded. Maybe it was the trooper who’d driven her home. Did they have more questions? The other driver was still touch and go, but that had more do to with the illegal drugs in his system than the car accident. She peeped through the window and gasped, yanking open the door.

“Cub!”

Soft brown eyes met hers, instead of Cub’s striking blue ones, along with the widest smile she’d even seen Cub sport. “No, call me Lucky.” He scooped up in his strong arms and spun her around.

She hugged him back, so glad that he was okay. “How—why? Wait! What?”

He set her on her feet, but kept her within the tight circle of his arms. “It took me a while too. I still don’t understand it all, but I’m just supremely honored, and humbled, and fucking grateful.”

“Why did the doctors release you? How did you get here? And why didn’t someone call me to let me know you had woken up?”

A frown appeared on his forehead, where a small bandage covered the stitches he’d received, and for a moment, he resembled Lucky so much that her breath caught.

“Gemma, I’m Lucky.”

“I know you’re lucky. We were both lucky. But I don’t understand the hospital—”

“No, babe, look at me. See me.”

He’d called her babe.

Suddenly the room spun, and she kissed the carpet.

“Come on, babe. That’s it. Come back to me.” Lucky’s voice purred over her, and Gemma reached out with her arms to hold him tight against her.

“I’ve missed you.” She buried her face in his neck, refusing to open her eyes in case he disappeared on her. “Don’t ever leave me again.”

“You are stuck with me, Gemma. Forever and always. Before God and country, say you’ll be mine.” He kissed her, and everything inside her caught fire as though solar flares were exploding within her. Her body arched into his, and her hands raked through his hair.

His much shorter hair. She stiffened, confused.

“Open your eyes, Gemma, and look at me.”

“No,” she whimpered.

“Please. There is a lot to explain. A lot to celebrate. Come on, babe. I’m not going anywhere.”

Slowly she opened her eyes. She lay in her bed, the light low, but the man above her, holding her was Cub, wasn’t he? He looked like Cub,